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(Kitco News) - It was a bit of a mixed bag in mining today for Québec as the province was booted out of the top 20 mining jurisdictions in the Fraser Institute’s annual mining survey, but received good news from a few major gold players.

The morning kicked off with major news as Inc. (TSX:G)(NYSE:GG) and Osisko Mining Corp. (TSX:OSK)announced that a settlement had been reached regarding court litigation surrounding Goldcorp’s $2.6 billion hostile bid announced in early January.

With litigation no longer present, the settlement will extend Goldcorp’s offer to April 15, from March 10. Goldcorp will also receive access to due diligence data – a point of tension between the companies –beginning April 1. The data can be pushed earlier if Osisko signs a transaction agreement with a rival bidder.

Brent Bergeron, senior vice president of corporate affairs with Goldcorp, told Kitco News, at the Prospectors Developers Association of Canada convention, the settlement means the company can continue its pursuit of Osisko.

“Right now we continue in the same position in terms of the offer that we made back in January, and once we’re provided with due diligence, that should reinforce our bid at that point,” he said.

Goldcorp also announced at PDAC, in association with the Quebec government, that they had secured a bond, totaling $40.1 million to cover 100% of the closure obligation related to its Éléonore mine site in northern Québec.

"Setting aside the complete estimated amount for the closure and reclamation of the Éléonore site is a tangible demonstration of our unwavering commitment to sustainability and to working with governments, stakeholders and the communities where we operate," said Bergeron.

Speaking at the PDAC, Québec Natural Resource Minister Martine Ouellet noted the company did not need to pay in full at the outset.

“Actually they paid this morning and has the option to pay over two years, but decided make the whole payment,” Ouellet said.

The least surprising news was the province’s drop in the Fraser survey; the province has seen a steadily declined in its rankings over the last few years. Uncertainty plagued the sector in Québec last year as the Parti Québecois government and opposition could not reach an agreement on a refined mining act.

However, now that a new mining act has been accepted and uncertainty has dissipated, miners operating in the province have been put back to ease.

While Ouellet did not mention the Fraser Institute survey during her address Monday afternoon, she highlighted the province is still a power in the mining sector.